READ Dr. Helen Boelens

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Rachel

Dr. Helen Boelens is the founder and board member of ENSIL (European Network for School Libraries and Information Literacies) and in December 2010 was awarded her degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the Middlesex University, School of Arts and Education. During her doctoral research Dr. Boelens was helped by ‘many Australian colleagues’, as well as others from around the world. Dr. Boelens has contacted Bright Ideas to pass on her appreciation to all those who helped her with her research. The design of the latest READ poster was arranged by Dr. Boelens as a sign of her appreciation.

READ The READ poster comes in size A3 and size A4, and can be used digitally or printed off from the ENSIL website.

Dr Boelens’s thesis The evolving role of the school library and information centre in education in digital Europe is available from the ENSIL website also.

Professional development at SLV

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Rachel

State Library of Victoria (SLV) offers professional development opportunities to support teachers, teacher librarians, librarians, writers, and literacy professionals. Visit their page ‘Professional learning’ for details of upcoming events:

Professional learning

Housekeeping

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Rachel

During the Victorian school holiday period (9th April – 26th April), Bright Ideas will be posting twice weekly. All educators having term holidays, enjoy a safe and restful holiday period.

Worth reading: ’10 reasons why Google can’t replace learning!’ by Bev Novak

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Rachel

Bev Novak’s recent post ’10 reasons why Google can’t replace learning!’ on her blog NovaNews is an impassioned reminder of the role of educators and the role of ICT tools in teaching and learning. As Novak explains, information is readily retrievable, but students still need their teachers and librarians to teach the life-long-learning skills required to turn that information into knowledge.

ALERT – PLN program details

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Rachel

The fabulous Personal Learning Network (PLN) program begins 9th May 2011!

The PLN is a brilliant online program offered by SLV in partnership with SLAV, developed by and for teachers and teacher librarians. The program offered can transform your teaching, giving you the skills to build a network of like-minded educators to share resources and learning with, to manage online content, and will provide you with opportunities to learn and use web 2.0 tools that have the potential to enhance teaching and learning. In a supportive environment you can work your way through a 12-unit mentored program.

You can participate as an individual or as part of a school team. For more information and to book yourself a spot, click on the SLV link below:

Worth watching: Sir Ken Robinson on ‘Learning to be creative’

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Rachel

Sir Ken Robinson’s talk at Learning without frontiers (March 16th 2011) is entitled ‘Out of our minds: Learning to be creative’. It is about valuing the arts in the redesign of education. View an edited version here:

The time for libraries is now – Ned Potter

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Rachel

Why are libraries and librarians so important? Have a look at this:

The time for Libraries is NOW

View more presentations from Ned Potter

ALERT – SLAV conference 25th March 2011

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Rachel

There are still some places available at the SLAV conference ‘Creating collaborative learning spaces: Future school library scenarios’. The conference is on Friday 25th March. Keynote speaker Erica McWilliam will be discussing ‘The e-shift: What does it mean for 21st century literacy and learning?’. Lyn Hay from Charles Sturt University will bring new ideas to the way we look at space. Also speakring are Dr Susan La Marca from Gennazano College, Linda Angeloni from SLV, and Joseph Gerassi, principal of Bialik College. Get registrations in this week.

Worth reading: SLAV’s Synergy

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Rachel

Synergy is an online publication by the School Library Association of Victoria, edited by Dr. Susan La Marca. The journal is published twice annually in May and October. SLAV members have access to this online resource, using a username and password.

Volume 8, Number 2, 2010 had a particularly thought-provoking article written by the United State’s Kristin Fontichiaro entitled ‘2.0 or 2.Faux?: Wrapping our heads around digital assessment – An interactive article’. Yes, an interactive article. During the article, Fontichiaro has the reader visiting a wikispace she created to compliment and extend the article. As she says, ‘pull up a chair, fire up a laptop, and surf over…’ to the wikispace. Fontichiaro gets you to question how you are using ICT in your school and whether it is ICT for ICT’s sake.

La Marca has suggested this would be a brilliant article to discuss at branch meetings for SLAV members, and would be just as useful being analysed as a professional development opportunity for staff at school. If you are not a SLAV member and want to view this article, contact SLAV on (03) 93495822 or slav@netspace.net.au.

ALERT – Inside a dog. New dog, new tricks.

Posted on March 1, 2011 by Rachel

The Centre for Youth Literature’s (CYL) website Inside a dog has had a revolution. To make the most of the new-look site, with its new features and resources for teachers, it is well-worth going to the launch on Tuesday 8th March. It will be a celebration, with New Zealand author Bernard Beckett being the keynote speaker. Entry includes a free copy of Beckett’s novel August. Bookings close Friday 4th March. Visit The Age Education Resource Centre for more information on the upcoming lauch.

School Library Association of Victoria

Category Archives: Professional learning